Punt Rebounds

I do not recommend punting rebounds. That’s probably not the best line to start this guide with since I do want you to continue reading, but I can’t in good conscience recommend punting rebounds. Not only is punting rebounds the most difficult punting strategy to pull off, but it also has the least upside of any of the punting strategies. If you are going small in the first round, there’s no reason to choose this strategy over punting blocks, punting FG%, punting turnovers, or creating a balanced team. This guide is for those looking for a challenge or who want to get creative with their team.

Punting rebounds boosts the values of point guards and wings and downgrades most big men. This is troublesome as rebounds is the only big man category that we want to ignore. A team built with this strategy will naturally be strong in threes, assists, steals, FT% and be decent in points. Being strong in four categories and solid in one isn’t good enough. When punting rebounds you still want to be competitive in blocks, FG%, and turnovers. To get those elusive blocks there are a select number of big men that you need to target. I find going after one of the league leaders in blocks to be the best strategy. All of them are decent rebounders, but grabbing one of them allows us to forget about blocks for most of the draft. In addition to grabbing one of the top blockers, we want to focus on out of position blocks. There won’t be many big men on a punt rebounds team so blocks from a guard or wing spot are essential. To be competitive in FG%, you want to stay away from guards like Kemba Walker or Brandon Jennings who tank your FG%. Plenty of guards get a boost with this strategy so there’s no need to grab one who will lose you FG% every week.

Note: Yahoo Fantasy Basketball’s ranking is in parentheses. The round that I have listed each player in is the round that I would target them in.

R2) Serge Ibaka (17) – Loses value in this build but a top 5 FG% anchor and those blocks (3.0) make the rest of the draft much easier.

R4) Eric Bledsoe (46) – Out of position blocks (1.3 blocks per 36 minutes last season) and will be among the league leaders in steals (2.5 steals per 36 minutes last season). FG% may be an issue with his increased role.

R4) Roy Hibbert (47) – Last chance to grab truly elite blocks (2.6) without having to take a FT% hit. Solid, but unspectacular rebounder (8.3).

R5) Jeff Teague (55) – Shot 45% from the field last season and 48% the season before. Finished 21st overall without rebounds last season.

R5) Jonas Valanciunas (73) – His dominant rebounding in Europe didn’t transfer over as well as predicted (only 9.0 rebounds per 36 minutes last season) and he’s a great FG% anchor (56%) who could flirt with 2.0 BPG.

R5) Jose Calderon (56) – Very good FG% for a point guard (career 48% FG%) and rarely turns the balls over (2.1).